Masterplan to boost “cleantech” unveiled
Swiss innovation in green technologies has slipped over the past decade, but authorities have announced a plan to regain the lead.
Doris Leuthard, the new environment minister, said efforts should be focused on research and development of technologies that deal with climate issues, resource management and saving energy.
The “Cleantech Masterplan”, a 160-page outline released on Thursday, is designed to help Switzerland “reduce its resource consumption to naturally sustainable levels” by 2020.
The plan also calls for ways to get innovation out of the lab and onto the market more readily by facilitating knowledge transfers between academic institutions and industry.
The masterplan must still go through a consultation period lasting until the end of February 2011 before it can enter into force.
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